I knew that if I said NONE HAVE COME BACK one would! And she did for a terrible reason as her owner’s son became terminally ill and required 24 hour care at home – the poor dog was devastated as she adored her mistress, but has thankfully found a really safe and final home with one of our growing band of stalwart owners on whom our lovely dogs can fully rely for a lifetime home
A visitor recently said that he liked coming to Fen Bank because we cared about people as well as the dogs- it is because we want the best for the dogs, and people as owners are a part of that. Nice too, to be told that our Kennel Staff are among the best people have met and remarks like “ Very well informed, that young lady will go far etc” are music to my ears as well as theirs! We are indeed blessed by the dedication of the people working with the dogs.
Our dogs hardly bark- they don’t need to- all their needs are met and we are justly proud of that and grateful to Kelly and the team for caring the little bit extra that makes all the difference………
For the first time ever we have had 17 dogs in the kennels all waiting to go out to their respective homes when their new owners return from holiday! I had no less than 33 letters and phone calls from owners unable to attend the Dog Show because they were either on holiday or coming back on the dog show day! Has the world suddenly decided it doesn’t want to go on holiday when children are about I wonder?
We were therefore in the unenviable situation at the Dog Show when we only had 10 dogs who could be offered for homing, because the other s were held in a queue for their new homes! By 14th October all will have gone and we can fill up the spaces in the web site and the kennels with another batch of glorious greyhounds all looking for that special home!
The Summer has flown past it seems and we are now approaching a mellow Autumn when the early morning mists herald a day full of warmth and light and then a day full of RAIN! It is the most extraordinary season up here and hopefully the Winter will not be so severe. Good news for Ginger and Skippy who thanks to the great kindness of Diane and Paul Burgis will be spending the winter in a warm and comfortable home! I have to say I am really looking forward to a couple of days in Hereford and I am extremely grateful to them for finding space in their hearts for a couple of no hope oldies!
Among the other long termers, Marmite and Kate have found exactly the right home with two local people who will love them and give them the home they so richly deserve. I desperately wanted to keep these two but it wasn’t fair because Marmite and the house dogs couldn’t see eye to eye and it was unfair to deprive this gorgeous boy of a life in a home. Of course I have retained visiting rights! Some dogs are just too special…….. but it is a curious thing –when you rescue dogs all the time you begin to believe that you are not entitled to keep a dog for yourself and I have lost count of the dogs I intended to keep for me and then passed on because I thought it was a good home! So that now the only personal dogs we own are Shaun’s and much as I love Dylan and Peggy I would love to have one of my very own!!
NEWS OF THE CHARITY
Since our last Newsletter Daphne Ledward has agreed to become one of our Patrons and has thrown herself into the role with enthusiasm and verve- or at least with as much verve as two naughty Greyhound puppies allow!!! Her husband John has also done sterling service and we have had a lot of fun along the way as well as raising the profile of the Sanctuary! We are extremely grateful to them both.
We are still seeking another male Trustee to keep our poor lonely Treasurer company!
A gaggle of strong minded women is not the easiest group to endure- so if there is a saint out there, please get in touch! All our Trustees take an active role in the Sanctuary’s life and we all give high levels of commitment, but we also have fun!
A NEW HOME?
FINALLY Our appeal for new neighbours continues since few people have been to view the property next door to us! Does anyone want to live next to us? Our neighbours for the past 9 years are moving and leaving their spacious, comfortable and newly built 5 bedroom bungalow with 2.5 acres and outbuildings.
We have promised to try and help them sell the property which is literally next door. It is a lovely bungalow and they can tell you how quiet our dogs are ! If interested please email fbgs-1@tiscali.co.uk or phone 01472 822979 for contact details! It is a real bargain at around £325,000 and the price is subject to negotiation.
Sandra Miller-Hooker
Website design and maintenance donated by ScreenIT Ltd. If you would like a website built by us email us from our site and state that you saw us from Fenbank greyhound site and we will donate 10% to the Sanctuary